And wouldn't you know that Smoltz's first postseason start since 1999 — and the 27th of his career — will come against Clemens?

"I think we both pitch with our hearts and guts and go after guys, and obviously he's got some hardware that proves it," Smoltz said.

Clemens, 42, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner making his 31st career playoff start, doesn't recall the start against Smoltz. Clemens has made 18 postseason starts since and remembers the 1999 World Series most for giving him his first championship.

"It was an exciting time for me personally because of the number of times I've been to the playoffs and the opportunity to attain that first ring," Clemens said. "That was special."

Smoltz, 38, returned to Atlanta's rotation this season after saving 154 games in 3 1/2 seasons, going 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 33 starts. He threw 229 2/3 innings — his most since leading the league with 256 in 1997 — and missed his final start of the regular season with a tired shoulder.

Braves manager Bobby Cox opted to start Tim Hudson in Tuesday's Game 1 over Smoltz so Smoltz would not have to come back and pitch in a possible Game 5 on Monday. Smoltz said his shoulder is fine.

"My control shouldn't be an issue," he said. "I've been down this road so many times before. Adrenaline is going to be incredible at this time. You can't duplicate it. You can't go through any regular-season game like this.

"The anticipation is what kills me. I have more fun in these games than I have in any game I pitch, so that's not going to be the issue. The issue's going to be, will I be able to come out from the start and contain that adrenaline?"

Clemens, too, has been battling health issues. He went 13-8 and led the majors with a 1.87 ERA this season but has been dealing with a strained hamstring since his Sept. 3 start against St. Louis.

"I feel great," said Clemens, who said his shoulder began giving him trouble because of his hamstring. "I was using a lot of arm those last three starts. I always have felt if I had a little problem with the elbow or shoulder, I can deal with it. My legs give out? I'm in trouble, because I rely on them quite a bit."

Clemens, who is 10-7 with a 3.49 ERA in his career in the playoffs, has tremendous respect for Smoltz, whose 14 career postseason victories tie him with Andy Pettitte for the most in major-league history.

"All I need to know is I've seen John's pain tolerance and how he's gone about his work over the years," Clemens said. "I can tell you I appreciate it."

Smoltz is just glad to be getting the ball at the start of the game and happy to have more control on what happens to the Braves.

"To wait this long to pitch in a game like this, that's why I don't make a big deal of when I pitch, just the fact that I get to pitch and work as hard as I can to get to this level," Smoltz said. "It took me 230 innings, which I know a lot of us didn't think was going to happen, including myself.

"I needed a little bit of rest to get to the point where I feel like I'm going to be at my best, to have the chance to do everything that I talked about wanting to do."